Skip to Main content

14.24°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Mar 12, 2024 7:14 PM - The Canadian Press

B.C. to hike commercial vehicle crash penalties after 35 over-height truck incidents

Share On

b-c-to-hike-commercial-vehicle-crash-penalties-after-35-over-height-truck-incidents

Transportation Minister Rob Fleming says the proposed changes are in response to 35 crashes involving over-height commercial vehicles since late 2021.

Penalties for commercial truck crashes into overpasses or other infrastructure in British Columbia are set to soar, including fines of up to $100,000 and jail sentences up to 18 months.

The New Democrat government says it's proposing changes to the Commercial Transport Act that currently prescribes fines for over-height vehicles of $500 to $598, levels that are unchanged for decades.

Transportation Minister Rob Fleming says the proposed changes are in response to 35 crashes involving over-height commercial vehicles since late 2021.

The province last month cancelled the operating licence of B.C. trucking firm Chohan Freight Forwarders after one of its commercial vehicles lodged a steel girder in an overpass over Highway 99 in Delta in December.

Fleming says laws surrounding highway infrastructure crashes in B.C. have not changed since the 1970s, and the proposed maximum penalties for commercial transport violations will exceed those of other provinces and territories.

B.C. Trucking Association president Dave Earle says in a statement the association supports the proposed penalty increases.

Latest news

RCMP marine unit rescues 11 people after canoe overturns in Burrard Inlet

Eleven people, including several youths, were rescued from the waters of Burrard Inlet after a large canoe overturned near Ambleside Beach on Saturday afternoon, according to the BC RCMP. Police said officers with the RCMP Tactical Marine Operations Group (TMOG), who were conducting patrols in Burrard Inlet, received a distress call over Marine VHF Channel at about 3:30 p.m. on July 5 reporting an overturned canoe off Ambleside Beach. Four TMOG vessels were dispatched to the scene. According to the RCMP, officers arriving at the location found all 11 occupants clinging to the overturned canoe.

AlbertaJul 08, 2026

Report says Alberta has widest gender pay gap in Canada

Women in Alberta continue to earn less than men than in any other province, according to a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA). The report found that women in Alberta earn 64 cents for every dollar earned annually by men, compared with a national average of 72 cents. Looking at weekly earnings, women in the province earn 71 cents for every dollar earned by men, while the national average is 80 cents, according to the report. Katherine Scott, a senior researcher with the CCPA, said Alberta has ranked at or near the bottom nationally for years. She said the provinc

family-distracted-store-staff-while-children-swiped-jewelry-calgary-police

AlbertaJul 08, 2026

Family distracted store staff while children swiped jewelry: Calgary police

Police say six family members, including children, worked as a team to pull off a jewelry store heist in Calgary. They say the family went into the store at CF Market Mall last month. Police allege that while adult family members spoke with staff, an eight-year-old and a 16-year-old swiped nearly $4,000 worth of jewelry. An employee called police and officers located the family members, some of whom were in a stolen truck, and stolen items were found. Police say two boys, ages 8 and 9, were returned to their father, who isn't involved in the case. Four others face several theft charges

u-s-tourist-in-critical-condition-after-cyclist-strikes-couple-in-downtown-vancouver-crosswalk

U.S. tourist dies after cyclist collision at downtown Vancouver crosswalk

A 72-year-old man from the United States has died after being struck by a cyclist while crossing a downtown Vancouver street, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police said the collision happened on June 29 at the intersection of West Cordova and Richards streets. Investigators said the man and his wife were crossing in a marked crosswalk and had the right of way when they were hit by a cyclist. The man was taken to hospital in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery following the crash. Police confirmed he died in hospital on Sunday. His wife suffered minor injuries and

CanadaJul 08, 2026

WSO welcomes Operation Hard Ball arrests, says questions remain about alleged role of Indian authorities

The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) has welcomed Operation Hard Ball, a joint law enforcement initiative by authorities in the United States, Canada and Europe targeting the Lawrence Bishnoi network and other India-based organized crime groups. In a statement, WSO President Danish Singh said the arrests made through the operation represent an important step but argued that questions remain about how Lawrence Bishnoi was allegedly able to operate an international criminal network while in custody in India. Singh also called for scrutiny of whether any Indian officials played a role in f

Related News

RCMP marine unit rescues 11 people after canoe overturns in Burrard Inlet

RCMP marine unit rescues 11 people after canoe overturns in Burrard Inlet

Eleven people, including several youths, were rescued from the waters of Burrard Inlet after a large canoe overturned near Ambleside Beach on Saturday afternoon, according to the BC RCMP. Police said officers with the RCMP Tactical Marine Operations Group (TMOG), who were conducting patrols in Burrard Inlet, received a distress call over Marine VHF Channel at about 3:30 p.m. on July 5 reporting an overturned canoe off Ambleside Beach. Four TMOG vessels were dispatched to the scene. According to the RCMP, officers arriving at the location found all 11 occupants clinging to the overturned canoe.

U.S. tourist dies after cyclist collision at downtown Vancouver crosswalk

U.S. tourist dies after cyclist collision at downtown Vancouver crosswalk

A 72-year-old man from the United States has died after being struck by a cyclist while crossing a downtown Vancouver street, according to the Vancouver Police Department. Police said the collision happened on June 29 at the intersection of West Cordova and Richards streets. Investigators said the man and his wife were crossing in a marked crosswalk and had the right of way when they were hit by a cyclist. The man was taken to hospital in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery following the crash. Police confirmed he died in hospital on Sunday. His wife suffered minor injuries and

Three youths arrested after entering Abbotsford construction site, police seize BB guns and counterfeit cash

Three youths arrested after entering Abbotsford construction site, police seize BB guns and counterfeit cash

Three youths were arrested after allegedly entering a construction site in Abbotsford overnight, where police say they were found hiding on a large crane following an alarm activation. According to the Abbotsford Police Department, patrol officers responded to the site after an alarm was triggered and located three suspects, ages 14 and 15, who had allegedly entered the property without authorization. During a search, officers seized three BB guns and more than $11,000 in counterfeit Canadian currency. Police said the investigation remains ongoing. The allegations have not been tested in court

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital